Bikes, bicycling, and road safety.

SF201 Hearing Today!

We have previouslycovered the proposed harsher penalties for careless drivers who kill or inflict serious injuries on bicyclists and pedestrians. At yesterday’s Minnesota Bicycle Summit, many participants spoke to their legislators to support the bills, SF201 and HF68.

Minnesota cyclists and pedestrians (which means EVERYONE, because even if you’re in a wheelchair you count under pedestrian laws) are encouraged to contact their state senator to encourage passage of this measure. The measure steps up the penalty for careless driving that results in injury or death from a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine/90 days in jail) to a gross misdemeanor (up to $3,000 fine/365 days in jail).

I’ve discussed how to contact your legislators before, but here’s a review:

Write a brief message referencing the bill at hand (SF201 in this case!).

Be direct and ask your senator to support it, and why you think it important.

Thank them for considering your position.

Include your name and postal address/zip code, regardless of if you’re sending e-mail or a postal letter, as it helps establish your constituent cred.

Send it — e-mail is quickest in the modern age.

Calling your senator’s office is also an option for expressing your support of this bill and asking for your senator’s similar support. This bill is revenue-neutral, and offers a common-sense enhancement of penalties to those who do harm to vulnerable road users via careless behavior. Thankfully, Minnesota is not a state that allows the defense “I didn’t see them” as a release from all charges of negligence, but current penalties are toothless compared to the damage a driver can do to a bicyclists or pedestrian. Distracted driving is only increasing as cars acquire more and more new electronic features.

Julie Kosbab is an online marketing consultant and active transportation advocate living in Anoka County, Minnesota. She was one of Minnesota's only League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors when certified in 2005. She is a past member of the National Bicycle Tour Directors Association. She has 2 children and 4 bicycles. Find her on Twitter as @betweenstations.